

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny
The Australian National University
Mark Kenny takes a weekly look at politics and public affairs with expert analysis and discussion from researchers at The Australian National University and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2026 • 1h
Opportunity in chaos
What does the Middle East conflict mean for Australia and how instructive is the past in drawing parallels with the chaos of today? Will a global recession benefit One Nation in marginal, outer suburban electorates? How worried should the National Party be in the upcoming Farrer by-election? Can Albo manage the Trump relationship?Frank Bongiorno joins Mark to discuss his new role, instructional history, and the fallout for Australian politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 26, 2026 • 59min
One Nation watershed
Dr Emily Foley, a postdoctoral researcher on voter dynamics, and Josh Sundman, a public policy lecturer with on-the-ground SA election analysis, unpack One Nation's surprising South Australian surge. They trace vote flows, party weaknesses, migration and material grievances, and whether this breakthrough can reshape Victorian and national politics. Short, sharp, and political.

Mar 13, 2026 • 53min
The scales of war
What are the legal implications of Australia's participation in the Gulf? Is International Law being undermined by the US? How are the powers of influence tipping the scales of justice? Leading international law expert Donald Rothwell joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the legal implications of the Iran war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 3, 2026 • 1h 2min
Insider view
What were the domestic pressures in Israel and the US for attacking the Iranian regime? Has the international rules-based order been permanently eroded or is the current conflict lawful? How does the Australian government plan consular service responses in a time of conflict and what is the IDETF? Career diplomat and foreign policy observer, Andrew Goledzinowski joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the conflict in the Middle East and the prospects for regime change in the Islamic Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 27, 2026 • 1h 4min
Pub politics
Can Angus Taylor rebuild public confidence in the Liberal Party and will Migration play out well for them? What are the risks for Angus Taylor in the Farrer by-election? Will One Nation capitalise on the disarray in the Liberal party?‘Live to tape’ at the Australian National University, political scientist, Jill Sheppard and The Saturday Paper national affairs correspondent, Jason Koutsoukis join the DS team for a beer and to discuss the reconfiguration of the coalition, the Farrer by-election and all things 1 Nation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 18, 2026 • 1h 1min
Conservative cleavage
How long does Angus Taylor and the Liberal party have to redefine themselves in a changed electoral landscape? Can the major parties develop serious policy in the era of grievance politics? What is ‘cross-cutting cleavage’?With a new opposition leader and the return of Nationals to the shadow cabinet, Intifar Chowdhury and Richard Denniss join Democracy Sausage to discuss the rocky path ahead for mainstream conservative politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 10, 2026 • 58min
Building social cohesion
What has fuelled grievance politics and anti-system sentiment in Australian politics? How does policy reform in housing and education build social cohesion and why are One Nation successful in harnessing voter discontent? How have policy settings created intergenerational inequity and will the ALP develop a significant reform agenda in this term, or next?Member for Reid, Sally Sitou joins Democracy Sausage to discuss her political journey, migration, grievance politics and areas of reform needed to improve social cohesion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 3, 2026 • 55min
Realignment of Australian Politics
How has the preferential voting system masked the decline of the major parties and why is the decline worse for the Liberals and Nationals? Can One Nation capitalise on the trend? How does ‘voter softness’ play out amongst the ‘aggrieved’,and what lessons are there from similar democracies?Social and political data scientist, Shaun Ratcliff joins Democracy Sausage to discuss new polling on the realignment of the Australian political landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 29, 2026 • 48min
Anatomy of a conservative crisis
What were the structural factors in the split of the coalition? How did the culture wars and deindustrialisation change the conservative base? Can the liberals regroup to become an effective opposition?Former federal politician, Jason Falinski joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the fractures within conservative politics, the challenges of opposition and the opportunity for Sussan Ley, and the Liberal Party in the wake of the dissolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 22, 2026 • 48min
Conservative crisis
How did the politicisation of a national tragedy backfire for Sussan Ley? Can the coalition survive? Who will reign supreme in the fight for the right?With an early return to federal parliament, political scientist, Dr Jill Sheppard joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the politicisation of a tragedy and the deep divisions within the federal coalition and conservative parties in Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


